FAQ's - Planning and Development

A development permit may be required for a number of different things; whether you want to build a new house, change the use of an existing building, or construct a shop, etc. Any Accessory Building or Structure 107.6 sq. ft. or larger, whether on skids or not, requires development permit approval. 

Not all developments require a development permit, although other permits under the Alberta Safety Codes Act or other legislation may be required. For a list of exemptions, refer to Section 4.4 of the Bylaw 1348-24 - Land Use Bylaw

The Bylaw divides the County into several Land Use Districts (commonly called Zones or Zoning) and each of these Districts have land uses and development regulations specific to them. Contact the County to determine what District you are in and whether your proposed development is PERMITTED or DISCRETIONARY.

PERMITTED: Development that is deemed by Council, to be appropriate for that particular District

DISCRETIONARY: Development that is up to the discretion of the Development Authority.

You can download the development permit application and applicable documents on the Planning and Development page. 

Depending on the type of development you are proposing, several other types of permits/approvals, including but not limited to, may be required (subject to applicable fees):

• Safety Codes Permits – the Landowner is responsible to comply with the provincial Safety Codes Act by obtaining the applicable Safety Codes Permits (building, electrical, plumbing, gas and private sewage disposal). For more information, contact the Inspections Group Inc. at 1-866-554-5048
  
• Alberta Transportation & Economic Corridors - a permit will be required from Alberta Transportation & Economic Corridors for any development that is proposed within 300 metres (984 feet) of a highway or within 800 metres (2625 feet) of an intersection of a highway with another public road. Apply online.
• Alberta Arts, Culture & Status of Women – if developing on a designated Historic Resource Value area - https://www.alberta.ca/listing-historic-resources

There may be many other aspects that impact your proposed development. It is our role to advise you of these matters. If you are planning to apply for a development permit in the County it will be helpful to review the Bylaw 1348-24 - Land Use Bylaw and contact our office for more information.

• completed development permit application signed by all current landowner(s)
• building plans (floor and elevation plans)
• site plan showing any or all of the following as determined by the Development Authority:
  • north point
  • legal description
  • location of principal building and other structures including accessory buildings and structures, garages, carports, fences, driveways, paved areas, and major landscaped areas including buffering and screening areas where provided
  • outlines of the roof overhangs on all buildings in residential and commercial land use districts
  • front, side, and rear yard setbacks to all buildings
  • the provision of off-street loading and vehicle parking
  • access points to and from the lot
  • water wells/cisterns servicing the property
  • on-site private sewage disposal systems and discharge location
  • location of any abandoned, suspended, or active oil and/or gas wells
• application fee
• be accompanied by a conceptual scheme or area structure plan, if applicable
• any other items as determined by the Development Authority

Yes, you will be required to apply for a gas permit.

Yes, a development permit is required for permanently installed swimming pools and/or hot tubs. A building permit is also required if the hot tub and/or pool includes over 2.5' of water. Temporary/seasonal hut tubs/pools do not required development permit approval.

Almost all signs in the County of Minburn require a development permit. Signs located near a provincial highway also require an application through Alberta Transportation & Economic Corridors which you can apply online. You can also find further information on Sign Provisions in Part 9 of the Land Use Bylaw.

Yes, you will be required to apply for a building permit.

No, a development permit is not required for solar energy for personal use, so long as it meets the district setback and site coverage requirements in the Land Use Bylaw. However, you will require a building permit for rooftop solar panels to ensure your roof can safely support the added load. 

An uncovered deck does not require a development permit, provided that the district yard setbacks and height requirements are maintained. Uncovered decks outside of these limits will required a development permit application. 

If you are proposing a roof on your deck, this will be considered a residential addition and shall require both a development permit and building permit.

A building permit is required for the construction of any structure greater than 2.0 ft. from ground level.

The construction or maintenance of gates, fences, walls, or other means of enclosure do not require a development permit providing the enclosure is less than 2.0m (6.5 ft.) in height and developed in accordance with Section 8.2 of the Land Use Bylaw.

Fences proposed outside of these limits will require a development permit application.

You do not require a municipal permit for a water well. However, you need to hire a licensed water well contractor to design, drill and construct your well. A list of licensed water well contractors is available through the Alberta Water Well Drilling Association.

More information on private water wells in Alberta can be found here.

Pursuant to the Municipal Government Act a development permit must be issued within 40 days of receipt of a completed application unless the applicant enters into an agreement of extension. The Development Authority must also provide, within twenty (20) days, in writing to the applicant, whether the application is complete, or requires additional information.

If the application is refused, a new permit can be applied for after twelve (12) months.

The proposed development must be started within twelve (12) months of the date of the development permit, and after commencement if in the opinion of the Development Authority the development is not carried out within a reasonable diligence the permit expires. An extension may be granted (upon required fee). 

Fees associated with Development Permits, Subdivisions, Planning, and Safety Codes are available in the County’s Master Rates Bylaw.

Business licenses are not required in the County of Minburn. However, if your business will be utilizing a building or changing the use on your parcel, a development permit (and possibly building permit) will be required.

Feel free to submit your business on our Business Directory listing.

No, a development permit approves what type of development is allowed on a particular property, and concerns itself with zoning, setback, and height regulations of the County’s Land Use Bylaw. A building permit allows the construction of structures contingent on meeting the requirements of the National Building Code - Alberta Edition. In simple terms, the development permit deals with the ‘what’ and ‘where’ a development may proceed, and the building permit deals with ‘how’ it is built.

• You have access to the expertise of certified safety codes officers (inspectors), who will help you comply with the National Building Code - Alberta Edition.
• Your plans will be reviewed by a certified safety codes officer to identify potential problems. This will allow you to make changes in the plans stage rather than having to make costly corrections after construction.
• Inspections will be carried out by certified safety codes officers, who will provide you with inspection reports and follow-up with you on any outstanding deficiencies related to the National Building Code - Alberta Edition.

You may begin your development 22 days after a development permit has been issued by the County. There is a 21-day appeal period after the issuance of the development permit and therefore your permit only becomes effective 22 days after the date the permit is issued.

A building permit is needed for the construction of a building, the renovation or addition to a building, and for any change in the type of occupancy of the building.

A building permit is required (including but not limited) to:

• Construct a foundation to support a building or structure
• Erect a new building or structure, including retaining walls over 0.9m (3 ft.) in height and swimming pools/hot tubs
• Demolish, relocate, alter or make additions to an existing building or structure
• Install or modify heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC)
• Installations for all commercial, industrial, institutional and new dwelling installations
• Construct an uncovered deck more than 0.6m (2 ft.) above grade
• Hot tubs or any pools containing over 2.5 ft. of water
• add roof-mounted solar panels to ensure the existing roof structure will be sufficient to support the proposed loads

A building permit is not required for:

• General maintenance, repairs or upgrades, at the discretion of a Building Safety Codes Officer, that do not create a hazard
• Farm buildings
• Painting, decorating, non-structural renovations
• Parking pads not supporting a garage or carport
• Retaining walls less than 0.9m (3 ft.) in height
• Accessory buildings not greater than 10 m² (107.6 sq. ft.)
• Uncovered decks or patios not exceeding 0.6m (2 ft.) from ground level

The Alberta Water Wells database provides details on registered water wells in the Province.